Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah is currently on a five-day working visit to France, which will last until May 14. During this trip, he will participate in the 2025 Global Water Summit (GWS), organized by the Global Water Intelligence (GWI), to explore collaborative opportunities between the two countries in the field of energy transition.
The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has announced that Fadillah has been invited to deliver a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Global Water Summit on May 13. The theme of the summit is “Realizing Water Economics.” The invitation for Fadillah to speak is a recognition of Malaysia’s achievements in becoming a model country for good water resource management, particularly in its efforts to use recycled water as an alternative source for industrial purposes and to expand sanitation services for low-income groups.
Additionally, on May 13, Fadillah will attend a discussion with six key French government departments and agencies responsible for the development and governance of nuclear technology. He is also scheduled to meet with France’s Minister of Energy and Industry, Marc Ferracci, to discuss potential collaboration in the energy transition sector and to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
On May 8, Fadillah launched the “Smart Water Usage Campaign,” which he believes will act as a catalyst for a nationwide movement aimed at ensuring the security and sustainability of the nation’s water resources. He emphasized that this campaign is not only an awareness initiative but also a collective effort that requires the involvement of all social strata to foster a cultural shift.
As the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Fadillah stated during the launch that the event marks the beginning of a larger national movement, which aligns with various international initiatives such as Singapore’s “Every Drop Counts,” Europe’s “Water for Life,” and the United Nations’ “Water Action Decade.”
He stressed that education on sustainability is no longer an option but a necessity of our time, as today’s habits will determine the fate of future generations. The campaign is driven by four key pillars: sustainability, protection, advocacy, and nurturing, which encompass educational approaches, multi-stakeholder participation, and behavioral changes across society.
Fadillah pointed out that the Smart Water Usage Campaign aims to position everyone as agents of change, viewing water issues as a shared responsibility, thereby enhancing the role of citizens in ensuring sustainable water resources. “Through this campaign, we will bridge the gap between national policy and social behavior change to achieve smarter and more effective water resource management. Without sufficient, clean, and safe water, all national development plans will be hindered,” he stated.
Despite Malaysia’s high rainfall, the country faces significant challenges such as river pollution, unregulated development, and increasing water demand due to population growth and urbanization. He noted that climate change also brings unexpected phenomena, such as off-season flooding and interruptions in water supply. Fadillah mentioned that the Energy Ministry is actively enhancing enforcement against water source pollution, including amending the Water Services Industry Act of 2006, expanding monitoring systems at strategic locations, and launching various educational initiatives and public awareness campaigns.
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